The final meeting of the Academy of Young Researchers of the Donetsk Ecological and Naturalistic Center was held, dedicated to the formation of environmental awareness and a responsible attitude towards coniferous plants.
The theme of the meeting, "A Christmas tree in your heart, not in the trash!" united the participants around the idea of preserving nature and promoting ecological alternatives to holiday traditions.
Tetyana Kernosenko, deputy head of the recreation and environmental education department of the Kleban-Byk Regional Landscape Park, familiarized participants with the beneficial properties of coniferous plants and the products derived from them.
They discussed the importance of plants known for their phytoncidal and decorative properties. Particular attention was paid to the ability of coniferous plants to purify the air by releasing phytoncides.
The event coordinator, DOENC club leader Lyudmila Kapitanova, demonstrated an interesting experiment: making snow from baking soda, salt, water, and detergent. This format of work contributed to the development of research skills and interest in the natural sciences.
A separate section discussed ways to save Christmas trees from being cut down. Participants concluded that environmentally responsible alternatives include using artificial or creative eco-friendly Christmas trees, decorating live trees in yards or parks, planting Christmas trees in pots after the holidays, and creating decorations from twigs, pine cones, and wreaths. They also emphasized the importance of educational campaigns: "A winter bouquet instead of a Christmas tree," "Bring a pine cone instead of a Christmas tree," "Decorate your yard — save a Christmas tree."
The meeting was a worthy conclusion to the year, inspiring young researchers to make conscious environmental decisions and preserve nature.